Simon

posted Jan 22, 2016, 1:01 PM by Christa McElroy

We put our beloved Simon down at 12 + yrs. last September. He is the
final one in 40 years of being owned by a number of other collies. He
came to me on 9/11, a day that didn’t faze him as he waited at the
groomers/vets, to go to his new home. He was a very tall, long puppy of
18 months who had been overlooked by his breeders who kept him as a
playmate for his dominant brother.

We have never had a dog of any kind, let alone a collie, who was not a
gift of joy and happiness. Simon, who was named Boots in his early
days, grew into a gorgeous pet quality boy, who never met a person or
animal he didn’t like. He gave rides to very young grandchildren who
still talk about them and stood guard as they slept at Grandma and
Grandpa’s until he no longer could climb the stairs.

His most favorite place in the world was the cottage in Harrisville,
on Lake Huron. The last month of his earthly days, we took him to the
cottage, knowing the long drive would be hard for him but that he would
want to visit his lake and all the smells he loved so much, one last
time. He is still missed by the cats and his little chihuahua buddy.
When the time is right, we want to foster a collie and help prepare him
or her for a wonderful life with a family who will love him or her as
much as we love Simon and all the others who came before him (Nicky,
Stewy, Sydney, Tweede, Pearl and Suzie Renae). You will never know such
happiness if you never endure the terrible sadness that comes after,
but it is worth it and we would do it over and over again to know
animals of such perfect love.